Wax seal for floors and process for applying the same



Nov411, 1947. D. w. BRAY 2,430,490

WAX SEAL FOR FLOORS AND PROCESS FOR-APPLYING THE SAME Filed'March 24,1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Q /00 o o su o o u:

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Inventor 5 Attorneys Nov. l1, 1947.

.WAX SEAL FOR FLOORS AND PROCESS FOR APPLYING THE SAME Filed March 24,1945 D. w. BRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o0o0c oo` Patented Nov. 11, 1947 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE WAX SEAL FOR FLOORS AND PROCESS FOR APPLYING THESAME 6 Claims.

A primary object of this invention is the .provision of an improved Waxseal for hard-wood. iioors or the like, and a process for applying thesame.

An additional object is the provision of such a seal and process adaptedto improve rthe appearance `of such a oor.

Still another object is the provision of a seal which, when applied bythe process of the instant invention, will be durable, Water-repellent,difficult to mar, `and relatively simple and .easy to slean and maintainin a khighly polished .condiion.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of ta processfor applying wax to a floor or the like whereby the Wax is caused vvtoimpregnate the Wood of which the floor is composed, 4to a relativelygreat depth, in comparison to the ordinary Wax finish, in such mannerthat wear on the fioor has relatively little eiiect on the seal.

Still yanother object is the provision of means whereby after Athe/waxis applied the entire floor area is covered and sealed in aWater-resistant condition.

A still further object is the provision of an improved vseal comprisedof novel combination of ingredients adapted to be applied by the processof the instant invention.

A further and more speciiic object resides in the provision of improvedapparatus for carrying out the process of the instant invention,including an improved heater andan improved applicator for the wax seal.

Still further objects reside in the steps of :the process, the sequenceof operation, and the method of carrying out the said steps.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed outhereinafter.

In k.the drawings, wherein there is shown a preferred kembodiment ofcertain apparatus utilized in carrying out the process of the instantinvention:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, semi-diagrammatic view showing a room havinga floor and the various articles adapted to be utilized in carrying outthe sequence of operation comprising the instant process.

Figure 2 is a front elevational View of a heater adapted to be utilizedin the process.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational View of the heater shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the heater showing the cover removed,certain concealed parts being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure y5 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 5 5 ofFigure 4.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of lanother :piece of 4apparatus usedinthe process.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1 1 ofFigure 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of still another form of apparatusutilized in carrying out the process -of the instant invention, and

Figure `9 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line :9-.9of .Figure 8.

`Simi-lar :reference characters refer to similar parts throughout ytheseveral views.

vIn laccordance with the process of the instant invention for waxsealing a hardwood floor, the -rst step is to thoroughly smooth and sandthe fioor, preferably finishing off with a fine grade of sandpaper.

After thoroughly sanding and cleaning to remove the dust from the sandedi'loor, the next step comprises the application of heat to a localn izedarea, preferably starting in a corner of the room or the like. This maybe most advantageously achieved by use vof a heater generally indicatedat l0. Heater l0 iis 'comprised of side and end walls 'l1 providedwith-a plurality kof Iventilating apertures l2 and a cove-r I3 havingventilating .apertures i4 therein hinged, as by hinges i5, and providedwith a latch I6. The base of the receptacle so ydescribed is open. Theheater lo is adjustably supported va suitable distance above the floor,as by means of apertured lugs Il positioned lin Aeach corner thereof,the apertures being threaded, and threadedly engaging bolts 18 providedwith rounded heads I9. Obviously, if 4desired, rollers may besubstituted ior the heads i9. As best yshown in 'Figure 5, the heater isprovided with two parallel ymetal plates '20 and 2l, spaced atintermediate vertical poi-nts `in the heater and each having a lining,22 and 23, respectively, comprised of asbestos or other suitableheat-resistant material, the lining 22 being -placed below the plate 20,and the lining 23 a-bove the plate 2l. The upper plate '20 'and itsassociated lining 22 are provided with a plurality of Aspaced aperturesadapted to accommodate the sockets 24 of electric bulbs 25, surroundedby reilectors 26. Suitable apertures .21, as indicated in dotted linesin Figure 4, of a :diameter of the base of the reiiectors 25,

are cut through rthe liner .23 .and the plate 2| to l permit the heatfrom the lamps 25 lto pass .therethrough and strike the iioor.

A suitable supportingframe .2,8 carriedby transverse .bars y29 isadapted to support the upper portions yof the sockets l2li. Asuitablewire 3.0 extends about the frame 28 and continues to a plug 3 I, theouter face of which is exterior of its associated wall I l.

The bulbs 25 may be of any suitable wattage, ranging from 100 to 1,000watts, and may, if desired, be of the infra-red variety.

As best shown in Figure 1, certain of the side walls il may be providedwith slotted apertures 32 to provide hand grips to facilitate moving theheater as desired.

rlhe heater is preferably allowed to remain in one spot for a suitablelength of time, normally a period of minutes, until the wood doorpositioned beneath the bulb 25 has been heated to a temperature of 150to 200 degrees F.

After a section of the floor has been heated to the desired degree, theheater is moved to a portion immediately adjacent the heated portion andthe wax seal is applied to the heated portion rapidly before thetemperature has a chance to subside. This sealing is effected by meansof an applicator generally indicated at 35 comprised of a block 35having a handle 31 and a series of points 30 (see Figs. 6 and 7) on thelower surface thereof, upon which is adapted to be impaled a cake of thewax comprising the sealing material of the instant process.

Referring to the wax seal in detail, the principal ingredient thereof isparain wax to which may be added a small amount of beeswax, carnaubawax, and a suitable floor polish. As an example of various formulaewhich may be suitably utilized, a combination comprising Ounces Parafnwax Beeswax 1/3 Carnauba wax 1/3 Floor polish 1/3 has been foundadvantageous. Of course, the proportions may be Varied as desired withinthe approximate limits set out, and one or more of the latter threeingredients may be omitted if for any reason it is found to bedesirable.

In preparing the wax seal cake, the Various ingredients are meltedtogether, mixed well, and poured into molds to cool. Square or oblongmolds, preferably of dimensions substantially identical to that of theblock 36, are customarily used.

The process above described is repeated from spot to spot until theentire floor has been coated with wax and sealed.

After the floor has been waxed, it may be polished with a steel woolmop, such, for example, as is generally indicated at 40, comprised of ahandle 4i, a base block 42 and steel wool bristles or strands 3. As bestshown in Figure 8, the mop 40 may have a grooved base 42 provided with aplurality of points or perforations 43 adapted to engage in the strandsof the steel wool mop, or alternatively in a suitable block in which thestrands are embedded.

Under certain conditions and in certain localities, as for example, indoorways and similar places where heavy wear is expected, it ispreferred that the temperature to which the floor is initially heated beraised to a point above the aforementioned 200 degrees F. This may bereadily achieved by allowing the heater to stand a little longer in thedesired spot. Under such conditions, it is desirable to use a heavierapplication of the wax block, for as long as the wood stays in a highlyheated condition, the wax will remain molten and penetrate deeper intothe wood. As the wax so applied cools, it hardens leaving the treateddoor with an effective and lasting finish.

Floors so treated may be kept clean without the necessity of mopping orscrubbing. For example, one method, perhaps the simplest, of cleaningfloors is to rub dirty spots, rubber heel marks, or the like with thesteel wool mop 40 and then sweep. A light spray of suitable door polishmay then be applied and wiped dry with a clean cloth.

If desired on large floors, clean sawdust may be applied after the oilcleaner, which, when swept up, removes the sawdust and all excess oil.

Now, from the foregoing, it will be seen that there is herein providedan improved wax seal for hardwood floors, an improved process forapplying the same, and improved apparatus for carrying out the process.

It will also be seen that there is herein provided a method andstructure accomplishing all the objects of this invention and othersincluding many advantages of great practical utility and commercialimportance.

While in the foregoing this invention has been described in connectionwith hardwood floors particularly, it will be obvious to those skilledin the art that the process may be utilized with equal advantage on anytype of wood door, as well as concrete or similar types of oors.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. A heater for treating doors comprising a rnetallic receptacle open atits bottom, upper and lower spaced transverse horizontal partitions insaid receptacle defining upper, lower and middle chambers therein,alined apertures in said partitions, a plurality of electric heatradiating means in the middle chamber, said means being alined with saidapertures in said lower partition and extending through said aperturesin said upper partition, electric sockets mounted in said upper chamberand connected with said means, said lower chamber comprising an oven forheating a floor, said middle chamber receiving said means and said upperchamber housing said electric sockets.

2. A heater for treating doors comprising a metallic receptacle open atits bottom, upper and lower spaced transverse horizontal partitions insaid receptacle dening upper, lower and middle chambers therein, alinedapertures in said partitions, a plurality of electric heat radiatingmeans in the middle chamber, said means being aline-:l with saidapertures in said lower partition and extending through said aperturesin said upper partition, electric sockets mounted in said upper chamberand c nnected with said means, said lower chamber comprising an oven forheating floor, said middle chamber receiving said means and said upperchamber' housing said electric sockets, said partitions being lined onadjacent surfaces with heat insulating material a plurality of coolingapertures in the walls thereof.

3. A heater for treating floors comprising a metallic receptacle open atits bottom, upper and lower spaced transverse horizontal partitions insaid receptacle defining upper, lower and middle chambers therein,alined apertures in said partitions, a plurality of electric heatradiating means in the middle chamber, said means being alined with saidapertures in said lower partition and extending through said aperturesin said upper partition, electric sockets mounted in said upper chamberand connected with said means, said lower chamber comprising an oven forheating a floor, said middle chamber receiving said means and said upperchamber housing said electric sockets, said partitions being lined onadjacent surfaces with heat insulating material and a plurality ofcooling apertures in the walls thereof, said reecptacles havingadjustable legs supporting the same above a iioor.

4. A heater for treating floors comprising a metallic receptacle open atits bottom, upper and lower spaced transverse horizontal partitions saidreceptacle defining upper, lower and middle chambers therein, alinedapertures in said partitions, a plurality ci electric heat radiatingmeans in the middle chamber, said means being alined with said aperturesin said lower partition and eX- tending through said apertures in saidupper par titon, electric sockets mounted in said upper chamber andconnected With said means, said lower chamber comprising an oven forheating a floor, said middle chamber receiving said means and said upperchamber housing said electric sockets, said partitions being lined onadjacent surfaces with heat insulating material and a plurality ofcooling apertures in the walls thereof, and a plurality of coolingapertures in the sides and top of said upper chamber.

5. A heater for treating floors comprising a metallic receptacle open atits bottom, upper and lower spaced transverse horizontal partitions insaid receptacle defining upper, lower and middle chambers therein,alined apertures in said partitions, a plurality of electric heatradiating means in the middle chamber, said means being alined with saidapertures in said lower partition and extending through said aperturesin said upper partition, electric sockets mounted in said upper chamberand connected with said means, said lower chamber comprising an oven forheating a iioor, said middle chamber receiving said means and said upperchamber housing said electric sockets, said heating means consisting ofelectric bulbs, a conical reflector surrounding each bulb with its openend registering with an aperture in said lower portion and with itsupper end in registry with said alined aperture in said upper partition.

6. A heater for treating oors comprising a me tallic receptacle open atits bottom, upper and lower spaced transverse horizontal partitions insaid receptacle dening upper, lower and middle chambers therein, alinedapertures in said partitions, a plurality of electric heat radiatingmeans in the middle chamber, said means being alined with said aperturesin said lower partition and extending through said apertures in saidupper partition, electric sockets mounted in said up per chamber andconnected with said means, said lower chamber comprising an oven forheating a floor, said middle chamber receiving said means and said upperchamber housing said eletcric sockets, said heating means consisting ofelectric bulbs, a conical reflector surrounding each bulb with its openend registering with an aperture in said lower portion and with itsupper end in registry with said alined aperture in said upper partition,and heat insulating means in said middle chamber to minimize thetransfer of heat to said upper chamber and air cooling means openinginto said middle chamber.

DWIGHT W. BRAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 100,649 Mason Mar. 8, 1870613,750 Bowdlear Nov. 8, 1898 1,399,838 Abbey Dec, 13, 1921 1,617,925ONeill Feb. 15, 1927 2,387,804 Miskella Oct. 30, 1945 1,723,331 CutlerAug, 6, 1929 1,703,993 Denton Mar. 5, 1929 1,294,269 Hopkins Feb. 11,1919 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 368,331 Great Britain Mar. 1,1932 317,196 Italy Apr, 27, 1934

